Number one ranked Kentucky against the NCAA competition hopefuls Georgia? Looks like a recipe for a blowout, specifically as Kentucky just barely regained that desired No. 1 location on the rankings for the 1st time in the prior 2 months. Whilst the Wildcats are on top of the rankings and enjoying an 11 game win streak, the Georgia Bulldogs can best be described as inconsistent so far in the year.
These two teams have been doing relatively well this season. This should not be an unexpected to any person as both of these colleges are well noted for their share of triumphs in basketball for many years. When Western Virginia visits Connecticut these two teams will be at it out on the court on January 9.
While this particular contest might not have the same depth that its football version does, the Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own kind of excitement. With the conference basketball season just arrived, both the Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys will make an effort to set the tone for the remainder of their season with this match. In Oklahoma’s case, they will be seeking to continue what has been a great start as they finished the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.
On January 8th, postseason college football comes to Mobile, AL when the Red Wolves take on the Northern Illinois Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both squads come into play with rookie head coaches with the Northern Illinois Huskies helmed by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Temporary head coach David Gunn who’s been the running backs coach all season helms the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Arkansas State has hired Gus Malzahn who will take the reins after the season ends. The take from the sportsbook is now Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under established at 63 points.
It is not just the Division I-A schools gaining face time on ESPN, on January seventh the NCAA Division I-AA Tournament game is competed at Pizza Hut Park in Fricso, TX. The North Dakota State Bison take on the Sam Houston Bearkats in a fight of the two top small colleges in the country. Both the Sam Houston Bearkats and the North Dakota State Bison have steamrolled their competitors all year long and both are furthermore arriving into play with comparable styles on offense. Expect lots of running and lots of first downs by each squad as the defenses are going to get a work out. The sportsbook is having a hard time with this one as the line currently stands at North Dakota State (-1) with the over-under set at 46.
Birmingham, AL plays host to the Compass Bowl on January seventh with the Panthers facing the Southern Methodist University Mustangs. The Pitt Panthers come in just after the one-year Todd Graham experiment at head coach. After taking the head coaching position at Arizona State, Graham resigned his post on December 14th. Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson will don the headset for the Pitt Panthers in this clash of titans. SMU comes into play with the specter of the “Death Penalty” handed down in the 1980′s still being referred to today. Former Nfl and Hawaii coach June Jones is already in his fourth year on the sidelines of SMU. The gambling line has this established at Pittsburgh (-3) with an over-under of 47 points.
It all boils down to this as the #1 ranked Tigers face the #2 ranked Crimson Tide in the BCS National Tournament Game at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA on January ninth. After winning the national championship in 2009 and furthermore winning it with LSU as a head coach in 2003, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to this game. LSU head coach Les Miles is furthermore no stranger at this instant as he’s won the national championship in 2007. Two fantastic squads and head coaches coming together on a collision course in what will certainly be an awesome game. The oddsmakers presently have this at Alabama (-1) with the over-under scheduled at 40 points.
Dec . 20 signifies the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl in St Petersburg, Florida with the Golden Panthers taking on the Thundering Herd. Florida International enters into play with an 8-4 record plus a 5-3 record in the Sun Belt Conference. Florida International averages 19.4 ppg on defense and 26.3 ppg on offense. With their return team a constant threat to take it all the way up, Florida International also leads the nation in punt return yardage. Florida International is led by fifth-year head coach Mario Cristobal. Marshall enters into play with a 6-6 record that is 2nd in Conference USA. The Marshall Thundering Herd average 22 ppg on offense and a somewhat confusing 30.2 ppg on defense. Second-year head coach Doc Holliday will guide Marshall.
The Louisiana Superdome comes alive on Dec. 17 when the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl starts off. The Aztecs take on the Louisiana-Lafayette Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns in a battle to the end. The Aztecs come into play with an 8-4 record plus a 4-3 record in the MWC. The Aztecs average 24.4 points per game on defense and 29.8 points per game on offense. The Aztecs are led by 1st year head coach Rocky Long. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns come into New Orleans with an identical 8-4 record and a 6-2 record in the Sun Belt Conference. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns average 29.8 points per game on defense and 32.3 points per game on offense. Louisiana-Lafayette is led by 1st year head coach Mark Hudspeth.
December 17th is marked on the calendar for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Temple Owls face the Cowboys in this clash of two great squads. The Temple Owls come into play with an 8-4 record and a 5-3 record, which is excellent for second in the MAC. The Wyoming Cowboys additionally have an 8-4 record with a 5-2 record, which is 3rd in the Mountain West Conference. With near-identical records, this match ought to show to go right down to the last whistle. Temple enters into the game averaging 30.1 points per game on offense with an outstanding 13.8 points per game on defense which ranks 3rd in the nation. s the Wyoming Cowboys average 27 points per game on both sides of the ball.